A little over a month ago it was confirmed that Amazon Studios was committed to making a multi-season TV series adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien‘s The Lord of the Rings.

We’re a long way from casting on that show to begin, but one familiar name sounds ready to sign on: none other than Ian McKellen. The actor has played Gandalf in director Peter Jackson’s two massive movie trilogies, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. When asked about Amazon’s show recently, it sounded like McKellen might just be up for reprising his role as the great wizard in the series…if he were asked to. See what he had to say below.

Earlier this month it was reported that Amazon was in talks with Warner Bros. Television and the estate of author J.R.R. Tolkien for the rights to adapt The Lord of the Rings into a TV series.

As it turns out, things were farther along than we thought. Amazon has confirmed that they have now reached a deal, and are officially committed to not just one single season of a Lord of the Rings TV series, but a multi-season adaptation of the timeless fantasy books Tolkien penned. But it won’t just be a new take on the story we saw play out in Peter Jackson’s movie trilogy. Instead, the series will focus on new storylines which take place before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring. And there’s even an added bonus to the deal that could mean an eventual spinoff series as well.

Continue reading for more on the announcement.

Rejoice, fantasy fans! When the final season of Game of Thrones comes to a close, we no longer have to be devastated about it. OK—we don’t have to be devastated for too long, anyway. Let’s be honest, I weep at least once a week just thinking about it. But I swallow a pint of Ben & Jerry’s like it’s an Advil, and move on with my day. Like a responsible adult. Other networks would sacrifice anything adorable you can think of to have what HBO has in Thrones, but instead of finding that next untapped book series to adapt into a hit, one big name is looking to an old classic: The Lord of the Rings.

Amazon Studios has entered into negotiations with Warner Brothers Television and author J.R.R. Tolkien‘s estate in hopes of developing a TV series based on Tolkien’s legendary story.

If you’re a fan of movies, chances are you’re a fan of movie scores. But while the music of a film can elicit emotions and enhance our experience viewing it and overall appreciation of it, sometimes there’s so much more going on in those compositions than most of us ever realize.

With an example of this, YouTube user The Nerdwriter has released a new video exploring composer Howard Shore‘s work on Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and how his music actually elevated the already stellar story it told.

Click on over to the other side to check out the video.

What happens when a geek finds themselves abundantly wealthy? They purchase massive homes and add lots and lots of amazing stuff to them. We’ve seen it with Guillermo del Toro’s Bleak House, and now we have another example with The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies director Peter Jackson‘s 1930s mansion in New Zealand.

Jackson has had all sorts of cool stuff built to make his home unique, but perhaps most notably is the addition of an exact replica of Bilbo Baggins’ Hobbit house, Bag End. And better yet, Jackson had it built underground, behind secret doors.

Continue reading for details.